The National tribune., 1887-07-14
SHILOH REVISITED.
Ministerial Comrade Writes Of This HIsterl
Held.

Field.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUSE: now reside
about l3 miles from Fort Donelson. For sew
eral years / labored in church and educational
work on the battlefield of Shiloh and several
times had the pleasure of meeting comrades
from the North and giving them such informa-
ton and aid as was in my power. / first began
missionary work at Shiloh in the Fall OF 1875.
My home for more than 10 years was at Purdy,
Tenn, place well known to a host of veterans,
aud one Of the last places garrisOned by the
Federal army of the West.
A few days ago / assembled the Tennessee
River to Pittsburg Landing, wishing TO conf
bine visit to old friends with some minis
terial work in the n. L. Church. The gen.
eral appearance of the battle-ground Is but
slightly changed from the war times.
There have been few fields opened up and
cultivated, but the principal changes are the
beautiful National Cemetery, with its 1900
graves, where sleep the Nations brave de-
tenders. The tall flagstaff, from which the
dear old flag is kept waving, stands where
stood the log-cabin used AS a hospital during
the battle and of which Gen. Grant speaks in
his Memoirs. There is neat brick building
erected by the Government as an office and
residence for the Superintendent and family,
and two large stores have been built on the
bluH, close TO the cemetery and Landing. There
Is "A store and steam mill on the the west side Of
the battlefield, near Owl Creek bridge, on the
ground occupied by the extreme right of the
Federal army. The old original Shiloh Church
is replaced by capacious aud respectable frame
building, erected about eight years ago by the
members aud friends of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church South, and 10 which Gen. Beaure-
gard is said TO have contributed. Near the
Shiloh spring stands a cOmmodiOus and repect-
able public schOolhouse, aud here come the
merry children not only to con their lessons in
the schoOl-room, but To quench their thirst
with the pure, sweet water of the spring, once
stained with the life-blood of Federals and
COnfederates during the long hours of that
fearful Sabbath night made hideous by the
commingled grOans, prayers and curses Of
wounded and dying
We still see ON every hand the open shallow
graves from which the Federal dead were
taken for final inteTment in the National Gen.
etery. Many trees still bear marks of the
fearful fight. and though relic hunters have
ranged through these woods during the past
20 years, relics are still plentiful. especially
bullets Of various shapes aud kinds. You may
still find grapeshot and canister, with occa-
sional bayonets and gunbarrels. old canteens
and cups, pieces Of shell, and occasionally an
uneXploded shell or cannon-ball can be OBJ
tanned. Even shreds Of clothing, hats and
knapsacks may still be found. / found that
just previous 10 my visit a party Of IL COM
rades, some Of them from Fremont, o., had
preceded me. / must not forget TO mention
among the additional buildings the church and
parsonage of the Methodist Episcopal Society
at the junction Of the roads two and quarter
miles southwest from Pittsbnrg Landing-T.
COTTON, late Chaplain l29th Ill. Stewart, Tenn.